Butterflies

The park is very rich in butterfly species, in fact the area around Mullaghmore is considered to be the richest butterfly site in Ireland. Twenty-seven of Ireland’s thirty-three resident and regular migrant butterflies have been recorded here. Five of these are considered to be endangered or vulnerable and a further four are considered to be near threatened.

Some Butterfly Facts

Adult butterflies feed on nectar. They have a long proboscis, which is extended to reach deep within a flower, while at rest it is curled up. The caterpillars feed on plant material.

The name ‘Butterfly’ was first coined to describe the Yellow Brimstone Butterfly. It was actually known as ‘Butter-coloured Fly’ and that later became ‘Butterfly’.

There are about 28,000 known butterfly species throughout the world.

Butterflies and moths belong to the order Lepidoptera. This is derived from the Greek term for ‘scale-wing’.

The wings of butterflies are actually transparent. The vivid colours are due to overlapping bright scales.

Butterfly wings are very delicate and can get damaged if handled.

The markings on the wings are there to frighten away or divert predators, and also for mating purposes.

Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 30 degrees.

Butterflies taste food by standing on it. This is because their taste sensors are found in their feet.

Butterflies and their larvae (caterpillars) are a valuable source of food for various birds, which are necessary for maintaining the ecological balance.

Find below a list of butterflies found in the Burren National Park.

Common Name

Irish Name

Scientific Name

Brimstone

Buíóg ruibheach

Gonepteryx rhamni

Brown Hairstreak

Stiallach donn

Thecla betulae

Clouded Yellow

Buíóg chróch

Colias croceus

Common Blue

Gormán coiteann

Polymmatus icarus, Polymmatus icarus mariscolore

Dark Green Fritillary

Fritileán dúghlas

Mesoacidalia aglaia formerly Argynnis aglaja

Dingy Skipper

Donnán

Erynnis tages

Grayling

Glasán

Hipparchia semele

Green-veined White

Bánóg uaine

Pieris napi

Holly Blue

Gormán cuilinn

Celastrina argiolus

Marsh Fritillary

Fritileán réisc

Euphydryas aurinia

Meadow Brown

Donnóg fhéir

Maniola jurtina iernes

Orange-tip

Barr buí

Anthocharis cardamines

Painted Lady

Áilleán

Vanessa cardui

Peacock

Péacóg

Inachis io

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Fritileán péarlach

Boloria euphrosyne

Purple Hairstreak

Stiallach corcra

Quercusia quercus

Red Admiral

Aimiréal dearg

Vanessa atalanta

Ringlet

Fáinneog

Aphantopus hyperantus

Silver-washed Fritillary

Fritileán geal

Argynnis paphia

Small Blue

Gormán beag

Cupido minimus

Small Copper

Copróg bheag

Lycaena phlaeas

Small Heath

Fraochán beag

Coenonympha pamphilus

Small Tortoiseshell

Ruán bheag

Aglais urticae

Small White

Bánóg bheag

Pieris rapae

Speckled wood

Breacfhéileacán coille

Pararge aegeria

Wall Brown

Donnóg an bhalla

Lasiommata megera

Wood White

Bánóg choille

Leptidea sinapis

The butterflies which occur in the Burren National Park are made up of four families:

Hesperiidae (Skippers): Only one species in this family is found in the National Park: the Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)

Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers and Hairstreaks): Six species of butterfly are recorded from this family which include three Blue species, one Copper species and two Hairstreaks.

Nymphalidae (Aristocrats, Browns and Fritillaries): This is the largest family of butterflies recorded in the National Park. Fourteen species are found including four Aristocrats, four Fritillaries and six Brown species belonging to the Nymphalidae subfamily Satyridae.

Pieridae (Whites and Yellows): This family has six species found in the National Park, five White species and one Yellow the Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Hesperiidae (Skippers)

Dingy Skipper

Erynnis tages

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: Until recently this was the only resident Skipper species of butterflyto be found in Ireland. Quite a difficult butterfly to see due to its size (28 to 34mm wingspan). The Dingy Skipper has an extremely fast flight of skips and bounces; however they seldom fly far. In the Burren, Dingy Skippers are a subspecies Erynnis tages ssp. baynesi they differ from other populations in having a darker brown ground colour with paler almost white markings which create a striking contrast.

Development: The larvae hatch two weeks after been laid. They are green in colour and once emerged began to form a tent by spinning bird’s foot trefoil leaves together. In this structure the caterpillar lives and feeds until fully grown. In August it creates a hibernaculum by spinning a web over vegetation. The insect then pupates in this structure until the following spring.

Habitat: Found on the verge of limestone outcrops, calcareous grassland, open hillsides, quarries, cutaway bogs and wood clearings.

Food plant: Bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus.

Flight time: Mid-April to Mid-June.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened in Ireland. The species main population centres in the Burren in Counties Clare and Galway with other populations scattered in the Northwest and in the Midlands.

Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers and Hairstreaks)

Common Blue

Polymmatus Icarus and Polymmatus icarus mariscolore

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This is the commonest blue butterfly species in Ireland. They are quite small (29 to 38mm wingspan). The males have bright blue uppersides the females are brown with a high variability in blue colouring. In Ireland the subspecies Polymmatus Icarus ssp. mariscolore are present, these females are blue with characteristic orange spots on the uppersides of the wings. The common blue butterflies found in Ireland are typically larger than does in Britain.

Development: Larvae emerge from small white bun shaped eggs one to two weeks after been laid. They are very small light green in colour with a black head. The larvae strip away the top layer of the food plant leaves, leaving the basic leaf structure intact. This creates the characteristic crescent shaped markings on the leaves, which indicate the early stage in the larva cycle. After about six weeks in the larvae stage they will then pupate. The pupa is formed most commonly on the ground or at the base of the foodplant. They attract ants who often will bury the pupa in the earth. Two weeks later adults will emerge.

Habitat: Found in a wide range of habitats which include unimproved grassland, rocky outcrops, wood clearings and sand dunes.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is commonly found in coastal areas with localised and fragmented populations in its inland distribution.

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Holly Blue

Celastrina argiolus

Description: More easily identified when at rest due to their distinctive underside wing markings and silver/grey colouring. A small butterfly (26-34mm wingspan) similar to small blues but are significantly bigger and more common. They are bright blue with black tips on the forewings, sexes can be distinguished, females have a more pronounced colouring of black on the forewings. The female spring and summer generations can also be distinguished, summer females have more extensive black tips compared to spring females. Up to three broods a year have been recorded in the south of the country and typically one brood in the north.

Development: Eggs are laid singly at the base of an unopened flower bud of the food plant. Eggs laid in spring are typically laid on Holly, whereas the summer eggs are typically laid on Ivy. Eggs hatch after a week, the larvae are well camouflaged usually green in colour with some light pink variations also occurring. Larvae can be typically spotted by examining damaged flower buds of the food plant. The larvae bore holes into the side of a flower bud feeding on the contents, this will leave behind a number of empty flower buds with an access hole. Once fully developed, the larvae will pupate away from the foodplant on the ground. The later generation will hibernate overwinter in the pupa stage.

Habitat: Found in various habitats which include gardens, woodlands and parkland.

Flight time: Early April to Early June and Early July to Early September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. There is evidence that this species is spreading into suburban environments and in the south and east of Northern Ireland.

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Small Blue

Cupido minimus

Description: This is the smallest butterfly species in Ireland (16 to 25mm wingspan). Males and females are dark brown, with a light dusting of blue scales on the males forewings and hindwings distinguishing them from the females. Both sexes have an underside that is silvery/grey in colour similar to Holly Blue, but are significantly smaller.

Development: A single white disc shaped egg is laid on each inflorescence of the food plant kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria). When several eggs are found together this usually means several different females have laid them. The eggs will hatch one to three weeks later depending on the temperature. Larvae are tiny less than 1mm in length, grey/brown in colour. Once hatched they immediately began to burrow into a kidney vetch floret and feed on the developing seed. When the larvae have fully grown in late July, they fall to the ground and find a suitable place to hibernate. When they emerge the following spring they immediately search for a suitable site to pupate. Adults emerge two weeks later.

Flight time: Mid-May to Late June and Late July to Late August in areas where two broods occur.

Conservation Status: Endangered in Ireland. This species is in decline in the east and south of the country now considered regional extinct in Northern Ireland.

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Small Copper

Lycaena phlaeas

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This is a small butterfly (32 to 35mm wingspan) with a fast flight. Once at rest easily identified with its bright copper forewings, some variations can have blue metallic spots on their hindwings known as caeruleopunctata. Small Coppers occur in discrete colonies, typically observed in ones or twos with large groupings a rare occurrence. In Ireland the subspecies Lycaena phlaeas ssp. hibernica occurs, it differs from continental Small Coppers in having broader copper bands on the upperside of the hindwings and the underside ground colour is grey rather than brown.

Development: A single white egg is laid on the underside of the foodplant, particularly does growing in full sunshine. Eggs hatch one to two weeks later with the emergence of a tiny green larvae. The larvae immediately start to feed on the underside of the foodplant leaves, leaving the upperside of the leaves intact. Feeding marks left on the leaves underside, creates a transparent appearance when looking down from above. The later generation will overwinter in the larva stage. The larva then pupates on low down vegetation or dead leaves on the ground. Three to four weeks later the adult emerges.

Flight time: Late April to Late June and in Late July to Early September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is widely distributed, but occurs in low densities. Their habitat has been assessed as poor, however populations have remained steady.

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Brown Hairstreak

Thecla betulae

Description: This is the largest Hairstreak to be found in Ireland (38 to 42mm wingspan). Males and females are distinctly different, and at one time believed to be separate species. The females forewings have large orange patches which are missing from the males. Both sexes upper surfaces are dark brown, and both have orange tails on the hindwings. This species is quite elusive spending much of its time high in the tree canopy, feeding mainly on honeydew from aphids.

Development: The females descend from the tree canopy to lay her eggs on the bark of the foodplant, males rarely descend. Eggs are laid in low densities (some small clusters of twos and threes can be found) at the fork of a branch that are typically one to two years old in growth. The larvae partially develop inside the egg before entering hibernation for the winter. The larvae emerge from the egg in spring, and immediately enter a developing bud of the foodplant. Larvae are short, light green and taper off towards the back. The larvae feed only at night, remaining motionless during the day. Once fully developed the larvae drop to the ground and conceal themselves in the leaf litter to pupate. Adults emerge three weeks later.

Habitat: Found along wild unkempt hedgerows and scrubland, woodland edges and on limestone pavement.

Food plant: Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).

Flight time: Early August to Mid-September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is restricted to the Burren region with a small population in Tipperary. Due to this geographical restriction of the Irish populations, it should be closely monitored. Hedge trimming is the main treat to this species with partially developed larva overwintering within the eggs on young branches.

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Purple Hairstreak

Quercusia quercus

Description: Rarely seen due to its arboreal lifestyle high in the tree canopy and lack of suitable oak woodland in Ireland. These are quite large butterflies, with females (31 to 38mm wingspan) typically smaller than males (33 to 40mm wingspan). The males are coloured purple on their upper surfaces with black margins, while females are brown with purple colouring at the base of their forewings. During hot and dry weather Purple Hairstreaks will often come down to ground level due to a reduction in aphid honeydew in the canopy, and feed on nectar from brambles.

Development: Eggs are laid singly (sometimes less commonly in groups of two) at the base of an oak bud. The Purple Hairstreak females have a preference for buds on branches that are sheltered and receive full sunshine, but also for solitary trees on the edges of woodland and scrub. Eggs are white and have the appearance of sea urchins when examined closely. The larvae fully develop three weeks after been laid, but they do not emerge until the following spring. The following spring the larvae hatch and eat part of their egg shell before burrowing into developing oak buds to feed. Like the Brown Hairstreak when fully developed the larvae drop to the ground and hide under the soil surface or leaf litter were it pupates for a month.

Habitat: Oak woodland.

Food plant: Oak buds (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur).

Flight time: Mid-July to Late August.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is widely distributed with populations localised in areas that contain mature oak woodland. Although this species habitat of oak woodland is listed as Annex I the populations have remained steady.

Nymphalidae (Aristocrats, Browns and Fritillaries)

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

Description: The Painted Lady is a large butterfly that migrates in summer from North Africa and Southern Europe to Northern Europe. The urge to migrate is trigged when individuals encounter a certain density of Painted Lady butterflies in a given area. There is no evidence that they can successfully overwinter in Ireland, with numbers varying greatly in Ireland from year to year. The females (62 to 74mm wingspan) are bigger than males (58 to 70mm wingspan). Both sexes are similar in colouration they have brown and copper upper surfaces with black tips and white markings. There underside have pink flushes with black and white markings.

Development: A single egg is laid on the upperside of a foodplants leaf. They are light green in colour and look like a gooseberry on close inspection. A week later the larvae emerge, they are spiny and black with a yellow lateral stripe. They immediately move to the underside of the leaf and feed on the cuticle. The larvae can be spotted by observing transparent leaves which have been created by their feeding. Larvae rarely leave the plant on which the egg was laid, which can often lead to starvation on plants were several eggs have been laid. The larvae also need good periods of warmth to reach the pupa stage, with larvae perishing in damp and cold weather. The larvae pupate in a tent constructed from spinning silk around leaves of the foodplant. The pupa hangs upside down inside the tent, with adults emerging two weeks later. This Irish generation of butterflies perish after the temperatures drop and do not hibernate.

Habitat: Can be found across Ireland in favourable years in areas where there nectar sources are abundant, often found on Buddleia bushes (Buddleja davidii) and Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra).

Food plant: Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) and Thistles species.

Flight time: Early May to Mid-September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This migrant species is a regular visitor but not always abundant from year to year. This species does not overwinter in Ireland.

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Peacock

Inachis io

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This large butterfly is a common sight to our gardens and woodlands and quite unmistakeable. Females (67 to 75mm wingspan) are significantly larger than males (63 to 68mm wingspan). Both sexes look similar, the Peacock butterfly has a red ground colour with four large spots, two metallic blue spots on the upper hindwings and two large multi coloured spots on the tips of the upper forewings. The spots act as an anti predator mechanism, deterring mice and small birds which mistake them for a larger predatory bird. By contrast the underside wings are black, providing an excellent camouflage when the butterfly is at rest or during the winter when this species hibernates. During hibernation they fold up their wings and blend into a hollow tree or wooden shed. Peacock butterflies hibernate regardless of weather conditions from September and rarely seen after Mid-September, they then emerge in Mid-March and start looking for a mate.

Development: Females lay one (sometimes multiple) egg clusters of up to 400 eggs on the underside of a foodplant leaf, in sheltered areas. The eggs are green and are laid in piles which resemble grapes. Eggs hatch one to three weeks later and a jet black, spiky larvae emerging. The larvae immediately start building a communal web near the top of the foodplant in which they feed and hide. As the larvae grow, they move to other foodplants, building more webs. Once fully developed the larvae disperse from the communal web and pupate by attaching to a steam or leaf with their head facing downwards. Adults will emerge two to four weeks later, temperature dependent.

Habitat: Can be found across Ireland in favourable years where there nectar sources are abundant, often found on Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis), Buddleia bushes (Buddleja davidii), Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) and Heather species.

Food plant: Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica).

Flight time: Rare in winter months most commonly seen from Late March to Early June and Mid-July to Late September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is prone to huge fluctuations in their yearly abundance, but Peacock butterflies are common and widely distributed.

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Red Admiral

Vanessa atalanta

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: The Red Admiral is a migrant butterfly; coming from North Africa, Spain, Portugal and France. This butterfly is unmistakable with large black wings with white tips on the forewings and red bands on the forewings and hindwings. Females are larger (70 to 78mm wingspan) than males (64 to 72mm wingspan). This butterfly is primarily a migrant, with numbers fluctuating from year to year, with some recorded overwintering in Ireland.

Development: Females lay a single egg, on the upper tip of a foodplant leaf, in shaded areas. Eggs are light green to start, becoming darker as the larvae develop, eggs hatch after one week. The larvae are greyish-black, with black spines and yellow patches along each side. Various pale forms also occur. The larvae create a tent structure by folding the edges of a leaf together, emerging only to feed. Once fully grown the larvae then create a shelter by spinning several leaves together at the top of the foodplant. The larva then pupates inside this shelter hanging from the roof upside down.

Habitat: Can be found across Ireland in favourable years where there nectar sources are abundant, often found on Buddleia bushes (Buddleja davidii) and near Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) where they lay their eggs.

Food plant: Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica).

Flight time: Some migrating Red Admirals have been recorded over winter but are commonly seen Early May to Late September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is a regular migrant to Ireland, with recordings in recent years of individuals successfully overwintering here.

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Small Tortoiseshell

Aglais urticae

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: Both sexes are identical in colour with females (52 to 62mm wingspan) larger than males (45 to 55mm wingspan). Unmistakable, with an orange ground colour, yellow and black markings on the forewings, and blue triangle patterns along the edges. Their undersides are greyish-black, provides the butterfly the perfect camouflage when hibernating. Adults are highly mobile, moving steadily across the countryside. Males set up territories in the afternoon, in areas close to nettle patches, and wait for a passing female. The males then pursue the females, creating a drumming sound, from banging there antennae on their hindwings to entice the females. This process can last for hours with a receipted female allowing the male to basking in the sunshine with her, and then mate, this happens usually in the early evening near a nettle patch.

Development: Females are quite fussy where they lay their eggs. She chooses to lay her large batch of eggs (typically 80 eggs) in nettle patches, with relatively new growth, in full sunshine. Eggs are laid on the underside of a foodplant leaf, piled on top of one another, egg laying can last between 20 and 90 minutes. Eggs hatch one to three weeks later depending on the weather. The Larvae are black and spiky with yellow stripes along their back and sides. The larvae once hatched build a communal web at the top of the foodplant were they live, only emerging to feed. As the larvae grow they move to other plants and create more communal webs. Once fully grown the larvae move from the communal web to find a suitable plant to pupate on. The pupa attaches to a leaf or stem and emerges as an adult two to four weeks later, temperature dependent.

Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats, but especially associated with highly modified grasslands, gardens, derelict and disturbed sites.

Food plant: Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica).

Flight time: Spotted throughout the year most common in Late March to Mid-May and Early July to Mid-September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is widely distributed and common, although there are some areas of the country where this species have declined.

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Grayling

Hipparchia semele

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: The Grayling is the largest brown butterfly species in Ireland, females (54 to 62mm wingspan) are larger than males (51 to 56mm wingspan). Both sexes are very similar, their upperside are brown, with pale markings that have a reddish-brown tint. They are quite elusive butterflies, and have been branded ‘ masters of disguise’ due to their sudden disappearance once landed. When at rest, they are perfectly camouflaged with their wings closed against a backdrop of stone or bare soil. Their under wings are grey-brown in colour with dark markings at the bases of the hindwings. If the butterfly is disturbed while at rest, it will raise its forewings revealing their dark eye spots. There is a subspecies of Grayling found in the Burren Hipparchia semele ssp. clarensis, it differs from the other Grayling species in having a light brown-grey upperside, with ill defined marginal bands and smaller spots on the forewings of males. The underside of clarensis is much paler compared to Hipparchia semele.

Development: Small white eggs are laid singly on a range of fine grasses, with coastal populations choosing Marram grass. Isolated plants are preferred or grasses that are short and surrounded with patches of bare ground. After two to three weeks a pale brown larvae with dark brown and yellow stripes hatches from the eggs. The larvae feed on the tips of grass blades and hibernate before full developing. They hibernate at the base of a grass tussock, resuming feeding in the spring. When full developed the larva pupate for four weeks just below the soil.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened in Ireland. The Irish populations are in decline with some sites in the midlands been lost. Reduced quality of habitats is the biggest treat to this species.

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Meadow Brown

Maniola jurtina

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This is one of the most abundant and widespread butterflies in Ireland. Females (42 to 60mm wingspan) are slightly bigger than males (40 to 55mm wingspan). Both sexes look similar, a light brown ground colour, two black eye spots surrounded with orange markings on the upperside of the forewings, females having more extensive orange markings. The undersides of both the hindwings and forewings are centrally divided between darker inner bands and lighter outer bands of orange-brown colouring. The underside of the forewings have a large black eye with a white dot, some forms of Meadow Browns have two white dots (bi-pupilled). Meadow Browns that are disturbed from rest will raise theirforewings and display this large black eye to deter predators. They are two subspecies of Meadow Brown in Ireland, Maniola jurtina ssp. insularis and Maniola jurtina ssp. iernes.The difference between the two subspecies is very slight, with male insularis species having very small orange markings around the black eye spots compared to iernes males.

Development: Light brown eggs with brown blotches are laid singly on grasses or in nearby vegetation, sometimes just squirted out during flight by females. Eggs hatch two to four weeks later, the larvae are green with a ridge along each side and hairy. The larvae eat their own eggshell before feeding on grasses. The larvae overwinter at the base of grass clumps, continuing to feed when the weather is warm. The larvae pupate for four weeks the following June, low down in the vegetation, suspended upside down.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is widely distributed and common in this country.

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Ringlet

Aphantopus hyperantus

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: One of our more common butterfly species. The rings on the underside of the hindwings give this butterfly its name. Both sexes uppersides are dark brown with white fringes, newly emerged males are almost completely black. Similar in size females (46 to 52mm wingspan) are slightly larger than males (42 to 48mm wingspan). There dark colouring allows them to quickly warm up, with Ringlet’s been one of a few butterflies seen flying on overcast days.

Development: Females lay their eggs chaotically, typically she perches on a grass stem and ejects a single egg at random into the air. The ejected egg lands on the surrounding vegetation and hatch two to three weeks later. The hatched larvae are cream in colour with a brown lateral stripe and are hairy. The larvae hibernate overwinter, however will feed during warm winter evenings. In late spring the larvae will pupate in a loosely formed cocoon made up of a few strands of silk at the base of a grass tussock. Adults will emerge two weeks later.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is widely distributed and common in this country.

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Small Heath

Coenonympha pamphilus

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: Found in a variety of habitats not restricted to heathlands as the name suggests. This is our smallest brown butterfly, females (37mm wingspan) are larger than males (33mm wingspan). Both sexes are identical, they always land with their wings closed, displaying their characteristic black eye spot, which is found on the underside of their forewing. The underside of the hindwings are coloured brown and grey which allows this butterfly to blend in with the surrounding vegetation. Males set up territories, where they are often found perched on grasses or patrolling for a mate.

Development: Females choose areas away from male territories to lay their eggs. A single egg is laid on a grass blade, spherical and green in colour, turning yellow and covered in dark blotches before hatching two weeks later. A lime green larvae emerge, which has dark green dorsal and lateral lines. The larvae spend much of their time at the base of grass tufts, feeding at night on the tips of grass blades. The larvae of the second brood will typically overwinter. The pupa hangs from a plant stem, head facing downwards, adults emerge three weeks later.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened in Ireland. This species is in decline due to the reduced quality of their habitat. Reduction in this species population is a result of a decline in fine-leaved grass species which are not favoured in newly improved and intensively managed grasslands.

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Speckled wood

Pararge aegeria

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: A very common butterfly particularly in woodland areas, often seen during overcast conditions. Females (48 to 56mm wingspan) are larger than the males (46 to 52mm wingspan). As the name suggest these butterflies aredark brown with many cream speckled spots. The spring generations spots are larger and creamier, compared to the summer generation. Males are quite territorial and inhabit a particular clearing, where they perch waiting for females to pursue. Areas with high concentrations of males typically patrol for females. Both sexes feed on honeydew from aphids in treetops and are rarely seen feeding on flowers.

Development: A single egg is laid (sometimes in pairs) on the underside of a foodplants leaf. Temperature plays a vital role in where the female chooses to lay her eggs. Spring and autumn eggs are laid in more open less shaded positions, compared to eggs laid in the summer. Eggs hatch one to three weeks later, a well camouflaged green larva with faint stripes emerging. The larvae feed day and night on the underside of the foodplants leaves, moving from plant to plant as they grow. Depending on the temperature and the time of year the larvae will then pupate or remain in the larva stage overwinter. Larvae that emerge earlier in the year will pupate after four weeks. The pupa is formed head facing down, attached to a grass stem or nearby leaf litter.

Habitat: Found in woodland, along hedgerows, gardens and country road verges.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is widely distributed and common in this country.

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Wall Brown

Lasiommata megera

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This species is commonly known as a Wall, they get the name from their characteristic behaviour of resting on walls, rocks and bare ground with their wings open. This butterfly is brown with orange colouring and broad brown bands across the upperwings, with a blackspot on the forewings and smaller black spots on the hindwings. Males are darker and brighter compared to the females (up to 55mm wingspan) which are larger than the males (up to 53mm wingspan). Wall browns are sun worshipers, resting in areas in full sunshine, their colouration allows them to quickly raise their body temperature sufficiently enough to fly. On particularly hot days Wall browns will avoid sunny resting areas in favour for shaded spots to prevent overheating.

Development: Spherical eggs are laid singly or sometimes in twos and threes in various locations including grass clumps, exposed roots in warm sheltered areas and leaves of the foodplant. Eggs are milky white becoming translucent as they develop. Eggs hatch one to two weeks later, with a green larva with faint stripes emerging. The larvae eat their own eggshell before feeding on the leaves of the foodplant, moving from plant to plant as they grow. They typically feed during the night but, occasionally feed in the day. The second brood will typically overwinter in the larva or pupa stage. They earlier brood will go on to pupate after four weeks. The green pupa is well camouflaged, attached to the foodplant or nearby vegetation, head facing downwards. An adult emerges two weeks later.

Conservation Status: Endangered in Ireland. This species has had a dramatic reduction of over 50% in its Irish populations since the mid 1990’s. Reduced quality in this species habitat is the main issue facing populations at present.

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Dark Green Fritillary

Mesoacidalia aglaia formerly Argynnis aglaja

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: One of our rarest butterflies in Ireland. Populations are mainly found around the coast on sand dune systems particularly in County Donegal, with good inland populations found in the Burren. They have a distinctive powerful flight and are adamant in there pursuits. Their determining feature is the green colouring on the underside of the hindwings which are decorated with rows of large silver spots. Females (69 to 70mm wingspan) are larger than males (60 to 63mm wingspan). Sexes are more easily determined by their different behaviours. Females tend to spend most of their time at rest on vegetation, while males feed early in the day and spend the rest of the day flying in pursuit for a mate.

Development: Females will search deep in vegetation to find suitable lush foodplant leaves to lay her eggs. Eggs are laid singly, directly onto the foodplant, multiple eggs are often laid in the same area. Two to three weeks later the larvae emerge and immediately start to hibernate in vegetation. The larvae are spiky, black with red spots along their sides. The larvae emerge from hibernation in spring and begin to feed on the new growth of the foodplant. Once fully developed, the larvae will pupate upside down under a tent structure created from wrapping vegetation together. Depending on the weather adults will emerge three to four weeks later.

Habitat: Found in calcareous grassland, sand dunes and cut-away bogs.

Food plant: Common Dog violet (Viola riviniana).

Flight time: Mid-June to Late August.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable in Ireland. Distributed mainly around the Irish coast, where they occur, populations are localised and fragmented. Populations in the east and south coast are steadily declining. The biggest issue facing this species is a decline in habitat quality.

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Marsh Fritillary

Euphydryas aurinia

Description: This is quite a distinctive fritillary butterfly, with their colourful upperwings, of chequered orange, brown, yellow and cream markings. The chequered patterns are highly variable, no two individuals have exactly the same pattern. Both sexes are similar with females (40 to 50mm wingspan) noticeably larger than males (30 to 42mm wingspan). This species is declining across Europe at an alarming rate and is listed in Annex II of the European Union Habitats Directive, Marsh Fritillary is the only Irish insect species to have legal protection. Colonies of this species can fluctuate wildly in numbers from year to year, with population crashes one year followed by unexpected recoveries other years. This species does not cope well in adverse weather conditions. Habitat loss and population fragmentation is the biggest problem facing this species. Marsh Fritillary butterflies need a specific grassland mixture that contains a 25% density of Devil’s-bit Scabious Succisa pratensis the larvae’s foodplant. The grassland should also have a short sward of 10 to 15cm, ideally lightly grazed to promote the growth of plants which provide a nectar source and some scattered scrubland to provide shelter.

Development: Eggs are laid in large batches on the underside of a foodplant leaves. The female will seek out foodplants in areas that are south facing and sheltered, in natural hollows or near short vegetation. Females can spend up to 50 minutes laying her eggs in neat rows, egg batches average around 300 with up to 600 eggs been recorded. Eggs are yellow when first laid, turning grey before hatching three to four weeks later. Once emerged, the larvae will spin a silk web, binding together leaves of the foodplant, living and feeding inside this structure. Larvae are black with a white stripe down the centre of the back. As they grow the larvae will move to another plant and build another structure if needed. After the third moult the larvae will build a dense nest of silk low down in vegetation and hibernate. In spring the larvae will emerge from hibernation basking in the spring sun and feeding on Devil’s-bit Scabious Succisa pratensis, if there is a shortage of the foodplant the larvae will feed on Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum. Once fully grown the larvae will pupate, attached forming head down attached to a twig or plant steams. The pupa is white with black and orange markings. Depending on the temperature adults will emerge two to four weeks later.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable in Ireland. Although having a wide distribution across Ireland populations and habitats are fragmented. Habitat loss is the biggest problem facing this species, with the future prospects of their habitats been assists as poor or bad. The Marsh Fritillary is listed in Annex II of the European Union Habitats Directive.

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Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Boloria euphrosyne

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This scrubland butterfly species gets its name from the seven pearl white markings that run along the edges of the underside of the hindwings. The colouring of this butterflies wings create an excellent camouflage against the scrubby vegetation found in their breeding sites. Both sexes are similar, females (43 to 47mm wingspan) are bigger that males (38 to 46mm wingspan). Males and females have bright orange uppersides with black dash marks, females typically having paler margins on the uppersides of the forewings and hindwings. Males are often seen flying swiftly, low to the ground in suitable breeding grounds, in search of a mate. When a male encounters a recitative female, she will fly to a suitable area were the pair will mate and stay together for up to one hour.

Development: Females will seek out Common Dog violet Viola riviniana (the larvae foodplant) which grow in full sunshine away from thick vegetation. A single egg is laid on the underside of a foodplant leaf and hatch two weeks later. A small black hairy larva emerges, with yellow spots running down their back and a white lateral line. The larvae will feed for a view weeks before hibernating in the larva stage overwinter. Depending on the temperature the larva will come out of hibernation in the early spring and resume eating. Once fully grown the larvae will pupate, hanging head down from vegetation, this stage can last up to three weeks weather dependant.

Habitat: Found on limestone pavement, calcareous grassland and on the edge of scrubland.

Food plant: Common Dog violet (Viola riviniana).

Flight time: Mid-May to Late June.

Conservation Status: Endangered In Ireland. This species is confined to the Karst region of the Burren and the Aran Islands. Within this region the populations are local and fragmented, and are endangered due to the loss of suitable habitat.

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Silver-washed Fritillary

Argynnis paphia

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This is our largest fritillary species of butterfly, there are considerable variations in wingspan sizes among different colonies. Females (73 to 80mm wingspan) are bigger than males (69 to 76mm wingspan), however with the large variability in wing size, in some populations males can be larger than females. Its name comes from the silver streaks found on the underside of the wings. Sexes can be distinguished from one another, males are dark orange with four black veins on their forewings which contain androconial scales use in their courtship display. Females are paler with rounder wings, and more prominent spots. Adults typically spend most of their time high in the canopy feeding on aphid honeydew, but will also feed on lower growing flowers such as brambles, thistles and knapweed. This species has an elaborate courtship were a female will fly in a straight line, with a male continuously flying in loops over and under the female. After their courtship dance, the pair will land in a suitable place, were the male will showers the female in scent released from his androconial scales. The male then places the females antennae over his androconial scales and they began to mate.

Development: Females are often seen flying low to the ground, often landing on the ground to assess the suitability of the area to lay her eggs. If the area is deemed suitable the female will fly to a tree near the foodplant Common Dog violet Viola riviniana, and lay a single egg on a grove in the bark. Eggs are laid one to two meters above the ground on cooler north facing sides. Eggs hatch two weeks later with a black-brown larva with two yellow lines along its back and long reddish-brown spines emerging. They first eat there eggshell then move into a crevice in the bark were they spin silk pad and hibernate until the following spring. Once they emerge from hibernation they move to the woodland floor in search of their foodplant. Other than feeding the larvae spend a lot of their time basking in sunshine on leaf litter. When the larvae are fully developed they will pupate head facing downwards hanging from a twig. The pupa is red/brown in colour and well camouflaged among the branches. Adults will emerge two to three weeks later depending on the temperature.

Habitat: Found in sunny deciduous woodland, and scrub-land.

Food plant: Common Dog violet (Viola riviniana).

Flight time: Mid-June to Mid-September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is widely distributed but populations are local. Some populations are expanding their ranges colonising mature bog woodland in Counties Offaly and Kildare. In the Burren it is one of a view species that has benefited from the expansion of scrubland developing into mature woodland.

Pieridae (Whites and Yellows)

Common Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: It is widely believed that the yellow colouring of male Brimstones inspired the collective name for this group of insects the Butterflies. Brimstone butterflies are not common in Ireland, due to the restricted distribution of their foodplant Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus. Areas such as the Burren have a plentifully supply of the foodplant, and so large numbers of Brimstones occur there. This is a large butterfly (60 to 74mm wingspan), and both sexes can be clearly distinguished from one another. Males are yellowish-green, while females are paler green-white and often mistaken as Large White butterflies when flying. When at rest both sexes keep their wings closed, revealing their remarkable shape and venation, which they use to imitate leaves when roosting overnight or overwintering as adults. The Irish population exhibit minor colour differences compared to the British populations classing them as the subspecies Gonepteryx rhamni ssp. gravesi.

Development: Adults emerging from hibernation will feed immediately, before males start patrolling for females. A single egg is laid on the underside of the foodplant leaves. Females have no preference for either foodplant species, but are very choosey that the eggs are laid on plants with the right amount of shelter and sunshine. Brimstones have one brood every year, with eggs laid over a long period of time from mid-April to early June. Eggs typically hatch one to two weeks later temperature dependent. A green bodied larva emerges with blackish flecks and a white line along the sides. Once emerged they immediately start feeding on the edges of the foodplant leaves. Larvae have been observed lifting the front half on their body when they are at rest. A month later the larvae will pupate away from the foodplant. The pupa is well camouflaged resembling a curled up leaf. Adults will emerge two weeks later. When the adults emerge they do not mate immediately, but instead spend many hours feeding on nectar, building up reserves for hibernation.

Habitat: Found in open grassland, along hedgerows, damp woodland and scrub.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. Uncommon across Ireland its distribution is restricted to limestone regions in the west and in the midlands were there populations thrive.

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Green-veined White

Pieris napi

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This is a common species of butterfly of wet grassland and woodland edges, often mistaken as a small white butterfly. Both sexes are similar in size (40 to 52mm wingspan), sexes can be distinguished from one another, females have two small black spots on the forewings, males have one. The key characteristic of this species are the green veining on the underside of the wings, which are in fact a combination of yellow and black scales which creates the appearance of green veining. Females show more prominent veining than the males. The Green-veined White prefers to lay its eggs on wild crucifers and therefore it is not a garden pest.

Development: Eggs are laid singly on the underside of a foodplants leaves. The eggs are laid on the same foodplant as Orange-tip butterflies, however as both species occupy different feeding areas on the same plant, the cannibalistic Orange-tip butterflies do not eat the eggs or larvae of the Green-veined White, as they are not in direct competition with one another. Depending on the temperature eggs will hatch one week later, a green larva with yellow spots along its side emerges. The larvae will first eat their eggshell before moving on to the leaves of the foodplant. Once fully developed, the larvae will pupate away from the foodplant, low down in vegetation. The later generation will remain in the pupa stage overwinter, while the early generation will pupate into adults after ten days.

Habitat: Found in damp grassy places with some shade, forest edges, hedgerows, meadows and wooded river valleys.

Food plant: Lady’s smock (Cardamine pratensis) and wild crucifers.

Flight time: Mid-April to Late September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is common with abundant populations found in damp and unimproved grassland.

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Orange-tip

Anthocharis cardamines

Description: This is our earliest butterfly species to emerge that hasn’t overwintered as an adult. Males and females are quite noticeably different, males have orange tips with a small black spot on the forewings which gives this species its name, while the orange tips are absent in females who are often mistaken for other white species particularly the small white. Both sexes undersides are beautifully marked with green and yellow blotches. Females are typically larger than males, average wingspan 40 to 52mm for both sexes. The orange colouring of the males is believed to be an example of warning coloration, indicating that the butterfly is not very palatable to would be predators. Mustard oil accumulated from their foodplants, makes these butterflies unpleasant for predators to eat.

Development: Females are fussy and will spend time searching for a suitable plant to lay her eggs. She will move from plant to plant tasting them with her feet until she has found a suitable one. A female will lay a single orange egg on the flower stalk of the foodplant. One to two weeks later a green larva with a pale stripe emerges. The larvae feed on the developing seed pods of the foodplant, as they are a finite resource orange tip larvae are very competitive. If two Orange-tip larvae meet, one will often be eaten by the other. Similarly if several eggs are laid on the same plant an early hatched larva will eat the un-hatched eggs to reduce competition. Three to four weeks later the larvae will pupate, upright on a plant stem or other vertical surfaces that are suitable for overwintering.

Habitat: Found in various habitats which include damp pastures and meadows, damp woodland edges, riverbanks, fens and gardens.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is common and its distribution is widespread.

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Small White

Pieris rapae

Description: This is one of our most common and widespread white species of butterfly. They are small butterflies (38 to 57mm wingspan) and are often referred to as cabbage whites by gardeners, with brassicas species there stable foodplant. However compared to Large white Pieris brassicae butterflies, they cause considerably less damage to garden brassicas. Both sexes are white with light black bands on the upperside of the forewings. Females have two black spots on the upperside of the forewings distinguishing them from males who have one black spot. They have two broods one in spring and another in summer, the summer generation have darker black bands compared to the spring generation.

Development: A single egg is laid usually on the underside of a foodplant leaf. Females have a preference for laying eggs on plants in sheltered areas such as gardens. The eggs are white when laid turning yellow and then grey before hatching. Eggs hatch after one week, with a green, well camouflaged, larva emerging. The larvae eat their own eggshell and then start to feed on the foodplant, leaving behind tell-tale holes on the leaves, they then move into the heart of the foodplant as they grow. During the larva stage they are vulnerable to been parasitised by parasitic wasps, which reduces there over all numbers. After three weeks the larvae find a sheltered area to pupate, usually on a fence, tree trunk or building. They attach to these objects by producing a silk girdle for support. The summer generations will pupate overwinter.

Habitat: Found in gardens, grasslands, meadows and along hedgerows.

Food plant: Various Crucifers and Nasturtium plants such as Tropaeolum majus which are planted in gardens.

Flight time: Late April to Late September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This species is common and its distribution is widespread.

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Wood White

Leptidea sinapis

Photo: Eamonn Twomey

Description: This is one of our rarest butterflies in Ireland, mostly confined to the Burren region in Counties Clare and Galway. This species needs certain critical conditions of light and shade offered only by very specific woodland and scrubland habitats. The larvae require their foodplants to grow under these restricted conditions, which are often found in the scrubland common in the Burren. Wood White Leptidea sinapis until the 2000’s was considered unusually common in Ireland compared to the smaller British populations. It was then discovered that the subspecies Réal’s Wood White (Leptidea reali) also occurred in Ireland. The Réal’s Wood White is more abundant and will travel to find suitable habitats including flying over open countryside to do so, differing from the Wood White (Leptidea sinapis). The two species are similar in appearance and can only be differentiated by examining their genitalia under the microscope. They are small white butterflies (up to 42mm wingspan) with rounded tips on the forewings, distinguishing them from other white butterfly species. Males differ from females in having a bigger black spot at the tip of the forewings. Adults feed on various flowers and will also drink from puddles.

Development: A single egg is laid on the underside of a foodplant leaf. After two weeks a green larva with a yellowy green stripe along its side emerges. The larvae will begin by eating the tips of the finest leaf shoots, before moving on to the rest of the plant. Once fully grown, the larvae will then pupate, with late generations overwinter as pupae at the base of thick vegetation. The pupae are green with characteristic pink veins and edges. The adults emerge the following spring.

Habitat: Found in sheltered grassy sites at the margins of scrub and woodland.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened in Ireland. Not to be confused with Réal’s Wood White (Leptidea reali) which are widely distributed but local in Ireland.

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Clouded Yellow

Colias croceus

Description: This species is an infrequent migrant to Ireland, originating in North Africa and southern Europe. Both sexes are similar in size males (52 to 58mm wingspan) females slightly larger (54 to 62mm wingspan). The upper wings of both sexes are a mustered yellow with black borders around the margins, females have yellow spots inside these borders, differing them from the males. This is a very active flying butterfly which can be easily mistaken for other white butterflies. There wings are closed at rest, with a lemon / lime colouring underside, similar in both sexes.

Development: Eggs are laid singly on the upperside of a foodplant leaf. The eggs are skittle shaped pale yellow when laid turning bright orange before hatching. The eggs hatch after one week, a dull green larva with yellow and red segments running down its side emerges. The larva stage varies between three to six weeks depending on the temperature. A greenish / yellow pupa is formed by attaching to a foodplant steam by a silk girdle. This stage lasts two to three weeks after which an adult emerges. Adults will continue to breed until October, adults and their offspring will then perish due to the cold and damp conditions of our winters.

Habitat: Found in open habitats along the edges of woodland and hedgerows.

Food plant: Clovers (Trifolium spp.).

Flight time: Early June to Late September.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned in Ireland. This Butterfly migrates from southern Europe to Ireland, numbers vary from year to year. There is evidence that this species maybe starting to over winter in the southeast of the country.

Opening Hours

The Burren National Park is open all year round and is free to access.

The Burren National Park Information Point in Corofin is open seasonally from April to September. Admission is free. For more information please go to our Information Point page.